Ottawa, January 20, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The use of minority language press: Government misses deadline
The Commissioner of Official Languages, Dr. Dyane Adam, today released a follow-up to the November 2002 study entitled Use of Official Language Minority Press by Federal Institutions.
The Commissioner noted that there have been improvements since the initial study was completed, but criticized the slow rate of progress. She pointed out that only 5 of the 18 recommendations have been implemented. "I am disappointed that, two years after our first report, implementation of our recommendations isn’t farther along than it is. To ensure that Canada’s official language communities are reached in an equitable way, I expect a concerted effort to implement the recommendations at a faster pace," the Commissioner said.
Among the more positive elements, the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada sets out official languages obligations with respect to advertising. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done. For example, Public Works and Government Services Canada still has not added the necessary clarifications to its guidelines on the advertising activities of all departments. In addition, the responsible agencies are not doing an adequate job of monitoring compliance with the language objectives for advertising.
The 2002 study looked at the management of the government advertising process and found that a lack of planning was one of the reasons why official language minority newspapers were being neglected in the advertising process. To improve the situation, the report’s recommendations focussed primarily on ensuring that all players involved in Government of Canada advertising procurement activities know how to apply Treasury Board policies pertaining to minority press. In this respect, Public Works and Government Services Canada has not yet provided relevant training sessions.
Use of the minority press is essential in reaching both official language communities. In some provinces and the territories, it is the only medium produced in the language of those communities.
Federal institutions subject to the Official Languages Act are required to publish equivalent advertisements in English and French and thus enhance the vitality and contribute to the growth and development of minority communities. "It is time for the government to meet its obligations. We have to ensure the proper balance," the Commissioner said.
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For more information:
Robin Cantin
Manager, Media Relations
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Telephone: 613-995-0374
Toll-free: 1-877-996-6368
